Not only was it #1 among scripted shows last week with adults 18-49 on basic cable, it was decisively number one: 32% better than Covert Affairs, 40% better than The Closer, 43% better than Rizzoli & Isles and 54% better than White Collar.

If we bring premium cable into the mix True Blood’s finale bested SOA’s premiere by about 40% with adults 18-49, but True Blood doesn't sell any advertising. But for ratings geeks, it's still damn impressive.

The 18-49 basic cable rankings were dominated by unscripted shows and sports. For the week those took up the top 11 spots in the 18-49 rankings and 17 out of the top 20 spots.

Aside from the VMAs and College Football, two episodes of Jersey Shore ruled with 4.4 million and 3.8 million adults 18-49 respectively. A sneak peek of World of Jenks following the VMAs scored 3.3 million adults 18-49. Teen Mom (2.98 million adults 18-49) and Pawn Stars (2.87 million adults 18-49) also came in ahead of SOA.